Whales in San Francisco Bay: New Ship Alerts Could Help Protect Them

Gray whales are increasingly entering San Francisco Bay to feed as climate change reduces Arctic food sources, but they face deadly ship strikes. A new thermal camera system uses AI to detect whales and alert vessels.

- 16 gray whales spotted in SF Bay this year; 7 have died, several from ship strikes. - Thermal cameras on an island and a ferry detect whale spouts, with alerts sent to ships.

- Gray whale population in North Pacific has halved to 13,000; 22 died in Bay Area last year. - The voluntary alert system aims to reduce collisions and protect the species.

The initiative offers hope for adapting to changing conditions, but challenges remain as whales continue to navigate busy waterways.